5 years at OPR NL: “I value the freedom to take ownership and make an impact”

This year, at Omnicom Public Relations the Netherlands (OPR NL), we are very happy to celebrate no less than four anniversaries. Representing different roles and skills, these colleagues have been with us for 5 or even 10 years. What did they learn over the years and how do they look at our agency? Read their interview and discover through their own eyes what sets OPR NL apart.

In this interview, Mitchell Achthoven (Finance Director) celebrates 5 years at OPR NL.

When I joined five years ago, my focus was primarily on managing the day-to-day financial operations. Over time, I became more involved in strategic positioning, working closely with leadership on growth and business decisions. At the same time, data and analytics have become increasingly important in how we understand the business and support decision-making. With the rapid development of AI, I see this becoming an even bigger part of the role, making it easier to turn data into meaningful insights and helping us work more efficiently and proactively.

Investigative resonates most with me. For me, it is important not simply to look at the numbers, but to understand what is behind them, ask the right questions, and turn information into insights that help the business move forward.

One thing that surprised me was how quickly the agency environment can change.
I have developed my ability to communicate financial information in a way that is relevant and useful to people across the business, regardless of their role or financial background.

When I joined, I stepped into the aftermath of a recent system migration, which meant dealing with the challenges that come with embedding a new way of working and making sure the financial processes were running smoothly. Since then, I have also been involved in another ERP migration. Seeing both transitions go relatively smoothly, while maintaining the quality and continuity of our financial operations, is something I am pleased with.

I think it is the combination of being genuinely curious about and interested in our clients and their needs. We don’t just look at what a client asks for; we try to understand the underlying challenge and find an approach that is both creative and grounded in what will make a difference for our clients.

I’d tell them to join with an open mind and be ready to get involved. What I have valued most over the past five years is the combination of a collaborative culture and the freedom to take ownership and make an impact.